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Dr. Sunil Dwivedi

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Reviewed by

Dr. Sunil Dwivedi

Consultant - Cardiology

Manipal Hospitals, Millers Road

Road To Recovery: A Guide To Post Heart Attack Rehabilitation

Reviewed by:

Dr. Sunil Dwivedi

Posted On: Apr 10, 2023

blogs read 5 Min Read

Heart Specialist in Millers Road

It could be frightening to endure a heart attack. When the heart's blood flow is severely restricted or impeded, it results in a heart attack. Your doctor could advise cardiac rehab to aid in your recovery after a heart attack. Following a heart attack or other heart issue, a cardiac rehabilitation program ensures cardiovascular health and good quality of life. Cardiovascular rehabilitation benefits anybody with a heart condition, such as a mild or serious heart attack. 

What is a Heart Attack?

The heart muscle needs oxygen to function. A heart attack or myocardial infarction happens when the blood flow that supplies oxygen to the heart muscle is significantly restricted or entirely stopped. The injured cardiac muscle will start to deteriorate without blood flow. If blood flow isn't restored quickly after a heart attack, it could result in permanent cardiac damage and death.

Visit a top hospital if you need open heart surgery in Millers Road.

What Causes a Heart Attack?

A blockage in one of the blood veins (coronary artery) that supply your heart is the primary cause of most heart attacks. When plaque build-up within the coronary arteries bursts, a blood clot may become lodged where the rupture occurs.  

  • Heart Muscle Spasm

This blood artery is severely constricted but not blocked. Often, the artery contains cholesterol plaques or has early vascular hardening from smoking or other risk factors. Prinzmetal's angina, vasospastic angina, or variant angina are other names for coronary artery spasms.

  • Uncommon Medical Disorders

Any illness that results in an extraordinary constriction of blood vessels would serve as an illustration of this.

  • Trauma

This causes arteries in the heart to tear or rupture.

  • Abnormal Coronary Artery

A congenital cardiac abnormality in which your body's coronary arteries are situated differently than usual. Their compression can trigger a heart attack.

What are Pre-Heart Attack Symptoms? 

Heart attacks can happen abruptly. Nonetheless, many people have warning symptoms and signals hours, days, or even weeks in advance. A temporary reduction in the amount of blood flowing to the heart is what causes angina (chest pain or discomfort).

Pre-Heart Attack Symptoms in Males and Females

  • Pain in the Chest

Most myocardial infarctions are marked by constant or recurrent middle-chest discomfort, painful or uneasy pressure, crushing, and heaviness on the chest. 

  • Discomfort in Various Upper Body Regions

These include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach.

  • Respiration Difficulty

This can happen irrespective of whether your chest hurts or not.

Additional symptoms could include cold sweats, nausea, or light-headedness.

What are Post Heart Attack Symptoms? 

It is common to experience a few after-effects after a heart attack surgery (both open heart or coronary angioplasty). You may be feeling these symptoms after your procedure:

  • Tiredness or weakness after the first week of surgical intervention.

  • Mild discomfort, chest pain, or irritation.

  • Sudden dizziness or fatigue.

  • Cold sweating.

  • Indigestion.

If your symptoms get worse, even after painkillers and other medications, consult with the cardiology specialist in Millers Road right away. 

Post Heart Attack Physical Rehabilitation

A few lifestyle changes are crucial as part of the rehabilitation program which will lower the risk of having a heart attack. 

  • Eat Foods that are Good for Your Heart

A healthy diet helps protect your heart, decrease cholesterol and blood pressure, and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. An excellent substitute is a plant-based diet.

  • Medications

Medications are an important part of your rehabilitation to return to normal life sooner. Painkillers and medications for other after-effects can help you get rid of post-heart-attack symptoms. 

  • Regular Exercise

Physical activity can lessen the possibility of getting heart disease. Everyday activities like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing aid stress reduction. But do the exercises only under the supervision of a cardiologist. 

  • Reduce Stress

Some people turn to unhealthy stress management, like overeating, binge drinking, or smoking, to deal with stress. Finding alternative stress-reduction methods, such as exercise, breathing exercises, or meditation, can benefit your health.

  • Get Adequate and Quality Sleep

Those who don't get enough sleep are more likely to be overweight, have high blood pressure, have heart attacks, develop diabetes, and experience depression. People normally need at least seven hours of sleep every night. Make getting adequate sleep a high priority.

  • Counselling and Regular Health Check-Ups

To ensure your heart is healthy, continue with your post-op follow-ups and health check-ups with your doctor as suggested. This will additionally help you avoid any further complications associated with heart disease.

Post-heart attack care is critical. Arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and heart rupture are some major heart attack aftereffects.

FAQs

  • What kind of rehab to start after a heart attack?

Cardiac rehabilitation involving lifestyle and diet changes is a crucial therapy for anybody recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or another cardiac condition requiring surgery or medical attention.

  • What causes heart attacks in young people

The rise in heart attacks among young people and adolescents can be largely attributed to changes in lifestyle, such as - stress, eating more meals from fast food chains and highly processed foods and alcohol, spending more time in front of a screen, and a decrease in exercise (particularly cardio).

  • What care is needed after a heart attack?

Relaxation is a key component of post-heart attack care, but it's also crucial that you engage in recreational activities, attend social gatherings, and start incorporating physical exercise into your daily routine.

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